Tuesday, October 26, 2010

I read more than those books this week. That’s not always the case, but often it is. I don’t review books I found less than memorable or books I found downright bad, and from time to time I feel compelled to remind you of that. If I do mention a book, it’s like putting a stamp on it that says: IN MY OPINION, THIS BOOK IS NOT A WASTE OF YOUR TIME OR YOUR MONEY.
I’ve talked about Stacia Kane’s “Downside” books here before, and the most recent, City of Ghosts, is the third continuance of the adventures of Chess (Cesaria), a debunking witch in a society where the church (not the Christian church) is the dominating factor. In fact, it’s the government. Though Chess hardly toes the church line – she is a drug addict, which the church condemns – she is touchingly determined to try to do good and to avoid killing people. She is also in love with a man who despises her, at least in part. Does this make the books sound challenging? In some respects, yes, but the character has grown with every book. I find that every now and then I’d like a more comprehensive explanation of some of the systems operating in Chess’s world, but for the most part I’ve found this series very well written and the world incredibly vivid.
Kalayna Price is new to me, and I am only a third of the way through Grave Witch. Alex Craft, Price’s heroine, is a down-on-her-luck magic P.I., who needs a job in the worst possible way. She’s also the daughter of a very high-up politician, though the media haven’t discovered this . . . which, frankly, I find unbelievable. However, Alex is a likeable and capable grave witch, and the plot is unfolding in an unexpected way.

You wouldn’t think the plot of Outlander could be condensed so neatly into a graphic novel, but it has been. The Exile put the some of the plot that we only learn about later into a linear arrangement, which made the story seem new! And the drawing is really interesting. Clair’s bosom does seem to change sizes, as does Jamie’s jawline, but I enjoyed every page. A lot of fun for fans of the series . . . and who isn’t?

Friday, October 29, 2010
First Post: 7:05 p.m.Jace Everett in Concert following the races in the North Park. Free with paid admission to the races prior to 9:00 p.m. $20 Admission after 9:00 p.m.
$3 Beer until 9:00 p.m.
$2 Hot Dogs all night long
Concert begins at approximately 10:30 p.m.

HOLLYWEEN Costume Contest

Sign up at the grandstand customer service booth prior to the 3rd race. $850 in prize money.$500 1st Place$250 2nd Place$100 3rd PlaceiPad Drawing
Drawing takes place after 7th race. All Gold Club members who scan
their card at the gate or new members who enroll
that date are eligible. Instant enrollment available at
any customer service booth or online . Must be present to win.

Standing in front of an audience of Boston University film and television students and "True Blood" fans at Cinematheque, Emmy award nominated television producer and director Gregg Fienberg announced the experience felt "kind of like Comic-Con."
"Except I'm not Eric, and you're not screaming," he joked, referring to the HBO series' sultry Scandinavian vampire played by Alexander Skarsgård.
Fienberg screened an episode of his popular HBO show "True Blood" and explained the making of it to about 300 Cinematheque attendees on Thursday evening in the College of Communication.
Cinematheque programmer and curator Gerald Peary, the head of the film department at Suffolk University and a film critic for The Boston Phoenix, said inviting Fienberg to Cinematheque was "not exactly a hard choice."
"I'm not a television fan, so I usually am very skeptical," Peary said.

The Scene
The show's opening credits alone give plenty of visuals to draw inspiration from, celebrity party planner Jes Gordon tells UsMagazine.com.
Gordon, who has worked with Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker, suggests changing bulbs to black or red ones. "It gives the entire ambiance a glamorous, vampire environment,” Gordon explains to Us.
Instead of floweres, fill vases with bouquets of branches. Then scatter votive or taper candles around the room (make sure the flames are at a safe distance away from the branches).PHOTOS: Outfit your home using True Blood as style inspiration
Drape sheer black fabric around the entryway or porch (stock up at a local fabric store). "The effect is haunting," says Gordon.
For the finishing touch, set the Bon Temps scene and play a CD of nature sounds (think chirping crickets and whistling wind).

* Marnie is a Z-list palm reader who’s painfully aware of what a joke she is — that is, until, she comes to be possessed by the spirit of a real witch. Anybody else thinking said sorceress might turn out to be the Hallow character Alan Ball told me about back in August?

* Andy’s sister, Portia, is as easy on the eyes as she is sharp in the courtroom. And, since I hear possible portrayers have to be cool with nude scenes, we’re gonna get an eyeful.

* Naomi is an Asian-American cage fighter who, outside of the ring…er, cage…is hot-’n'-heavy with one of her female competitors. My hunch is
that, driven away by brother Sam, Mickey starts puking up his dukes for money instead of his paws.

* Queen Mab is an elegant beauty who presides over a fantasy land that sounds a lot like the fairy domain into which Sookie (Anna Paquin) keeps being pulled. But, ethereal as her highness may be, she’s also
got a temper…

* Suzanne McKittrick is a Real Housewives type who throws a hootenanny to bond with “her kind.” That “kind,” I’m thinking, being shapeshifters like buttoned-down African-American Emory Broome.

Meet the Authors Mixer & Book Signing Immediately FollowsThe Vampire Film Festival (Vampire Fest) and Reel Energy Entertainment are pleased to announce the members of our 2010 Writers’ Panel. Professor Dr. June Pulliam, who teaches horror, gender and popular culture at Louisiana State University and authored Hooked on Horror: A Guide to Reading Interests in the Genre will be moderating this panel. KAREN ESSEX

There is a great tradition of New Orleans vampire novels and Big Easy native, Karen Essex, author of Stealing Althena, Leonardo’s Swans, Kleopatra, Pharaoh and Bettie Page: Life of a Pin up Legend, joins their ranks with her newest novel, Dracula in Love. Her first foray in the vampire genre, Dracula in Love, is a unique twist to the Bram Stoker classic. Ms. Essex recently contacted us from London and is delighted to join us."I'm thrilled to be participating in Vampire Fest in my hometown. Though Dracula in Love is set abroad, the inspiration to write it surely came from growing up in the haunted corridors and evocative atmosphere of New Orleans."
Ms. Essex will also host the Vampire Shorts series The Thirst for Blood, October 29 at 7pm at the Shadowbox Theatre. Ms. Essex will introduce the films and do a book reading.
GABRIELLE FAUST

Our second panelist, acclaimed horror novelist, Gabrielle Faust, will also be treating film conference attendees to a dramatic reading from the latest installment of her post-apocalyptic vampire seriesEternal Vigilance, entitled Bound in Blood on October 30 at 5:30pm prior to the Gothic Short Films Series. Gabrielle will also be on hand afterward for a brief Q&A and discussion of her work in the vampire genre." Gabrielle is the author of the dark fantasy vampire series Eternal Vigilance, two collections of poetry entitled Before Icarus, After Achilles and Crossroad and the recently released horror novella, Regret. Her short stories and editorial commentary has appeared in a variety of online and print publications such as SciFiWire, Blastr, Doorways Magazine and Fear Zone. She is currently at work on the fourth Eternal Vigilance novel, as well as the sequel to Regret.
SUE DENT
Our third panelist, Sue Dent, is a Mississippi native and the author of Never Ceese and Forever Richard, the first two installments in her Thirsting for Blood Series. Her debut novel, Never Ceese, appeared on the 2007 preliminary ballot for a Bram Stoker Award and Forever Richard, the second book in her Thirsting for Blood Series, made the 2010 long-list at the British Fantasy Society. Both Never Ceese and Forever Richard made the 2009 Pluto Award long-list with Never Ceese moving onto the top three books short-listed. Sue is currently a member of HWA, Horror Writer's of America.
KRISTY TALLMAN
Our fourth panelist is Kristy Tallman, is based in Chester, Virginia. Ms. Tallman is a poet and writer of internationally acclaimed psychological thrillers and horror fiction. Her storytelling is based on the traditional art of oral folklore found deep within the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky and flows forth into literary tales woven in a way that keeps her fans coming back for more. She has authored the independent bookstore bestsellers, The All-Soul's Faire; Crows on the Cross and Dark Poetry. Her upcoming works are Widow's Blood and Hell's Hollow.“I am very honored and excited about sharing this panel with the fine ladies of who have been chosen, The Vampire Film Festival is going to be an awesome event from beginning to end. I wouldn't miss it for the world!” -Kristy Tallman
Vampire Fest will be held in the historic Faubourg Marigny which adjoins the French Quarter. The venue is the Shadowbox Theatre, 2400 Saint Claude Avenue and the dates are from October 27th through October 31, 2010. The panel will be held at the Shadowbox on October 30, 2010, at 3pm . The panel will be followed by a networking mixer for filmmakers and writers to foster further endeavors of adaptions of vampire fiction to film. Tickets are now available at www.vampirefest.com
Spend Halloween with Dacre Stoker. Bram’s blood relative and join us for a presentation Retracing the Steps on the Creation of Dracula. Hosted by LSU Professor and author, John Edgar Browning. 3pm Oct 31 at the Shadowbox Theatre.
For more information please visit us at www.vampirefilmfestival.comor call 504.298.VAMP